Secret GardensWith the help of a lone City Park Ranger, Richard Clarke, we’ve been investigating Worcester’s wonderous outdoor spaces: the wildlife havens on you doorstep, hidden parks and hiking paths. Perfect for picturesque picnics and walking off lunch.
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Birdsong, bluebells and butterflies
For people and wildlife, our city’s nature reserves are an opportunity to study nature or simply enjoy it.
Bus routes correct to the best of our knowledge at time of going to print. Please check before you plan your journey. Up-to-date bus routes and timetables can be found on here.
Ronkswood Meadows andLeopard Hill
Large area of lush Tellytubbyland hills with far reaching views. Kestrels, two ponds and maybe some cattle grazing.
• No 33; Virgin Tavern stop on Tolladine Road
We visited via the footpath to the left of the Texaco garage on Tolladine Road.
Bus stops near other footpath entrances are:
• Express Wroute 2/3 or No. 31; Trent Road stop on Newtown Road
• No. 31; Ripon Road stop on Newtown Road
• Express Wroute 2/3 or No. 31; Leopard Rise stop on Newtown Road
• Express Wroute 2/3 or 37; Golf Course stop on Woodgreen Drive
Lyppard Grange Ponds
Combine the shopping with an impromptu picnic! Small, pretty area with dragonflies, butterflies, ducks and great crested newts! Between Tesco and a pub. What more could you ask for?
A fun-day is to be held here on Saturday 3rd June.
• No. 37; Lyppard Tesco stop on Millwood Drive
Go up the steps or ramp to the left of the entrance to Tesco and follow the path.
Gorse Hill and Elbury Mount
Gorse Hill offers a short woody walk with a lovely adventure playground at the end. Elbury Mount has a paved walkway and some steep steps with a rewarding 360 degree view across the city and beyond. On a clear day you can see as far as Shropshire! An interesting rather than picturesque walk but worth it for the view.
• No. 33; Conway stop on Tolladine Road
• No. 37; Lindon Road stop on Tunnel Hill
Cherry Orchard
A grassy, sometimes scrubby walk through the reserve leads to a play area and a small gauge railway. Check the events section on our website www.roundaboutmagazine.co.uk and we’ll let you know when it’s running.
• No. 32 Berwick Inn stop on Bath Road
Main entrance is via a kissing gate on St Marks Close next to the bottle banks.
A more buggy-friendly entrance to the play area, railway and grassier bits are further up on Waverley Street.
Nunnery Woods and Hornhill Meadow
Probably better known to you as the Countryside Centre. If you haven’t done the woodland walk yet... Hello? If you’ve done it to death then entice the kids off the swings to go see some cows in the meadow. Moo!
• No 44 or 32A; Wildwood Drive
Northwick Lido
Our favourite. There’s actually place to park here! At the end of Old Northwick Lane you’ll see a sign to Northwick Lido. You can drive right in - past the stables - and park further up the track. Lovely meadows. Quiet and idyllic. This part of the river is historically popular with swimmers hence the name. Our advice if you fancy a paddle though is go to Gheluvelt park or St Andrews Fountain.
• No. 32; Old Northwick Lane stop on Northwick Lane
Battenhall Rise
A great place to practice riding that new bike - not you silly, the kids. Large open grassland, hedgerows and a play area. In fact, the short cycle path (less than a mile) from the Bath Road play area to Battenhall Rise takes in 3 play areas. The Springfield Road play area is particularly pretty.
• No 27; Hail & Ride Battenhall Road
Laugherne Brook
Best entrance is via the car park of Coppertops pub in Oldbury Road or from Greenacre Road. Lovely open grassland with babbling brook and kingfishers.
• No. 31; University Gates stop on Oldbury Road
Warndon and Tolladine Woodlands
Tolladine Wood has a small pond and circular woodchip pathway, ideal for families with small children. A footpath joins Warndon Wood.
One of the finest bluebell woods in Worcestershire albeit for the hum of motorway traffic. There’s also a 16th Century church.
• Express Wroute 2/3; Tolladine Wood stop on Millwood Drive
Perry Wood
Squirrels and jays galore in Perry Woods. Best entrance via Perry Walk. Also footpaths from Lark Hill Road and Liverpool Road.
• No. 44; Seabright stop on London Road
Pitchcroft
There’s a large grassy area by the river at the North end of Pitchcroft. You’ll find a footpath entrance from the car park on Waterworks Road opposite the Pump House Environmental Centre.
Chapter Meadows
Managed by the Duckworth Trust. There are access points on Slingpool Walk off Bromwich Road or at either end of the Bromwich Parade on the Eastern bank of the Severn. There are information boards at each entrance, giving details of forthcoming events on the meadows, wildlife to watch out for and a map showing paths and features.
• No. 31,33 or 44; Bull Ring stop on Bromwich Road
Further afield...
Fancy a drive out? Looking for somewhere pretty to stop for lunch?
Info depot
Click here for information on Worcester city parks
Have your say! Comment on the quality of Worcester's open spaces and how well you feel they are being managed and maintained.The results will be compared with others up and down the country to give a truly national voice of what we think about our open spaces. www.greenstat.org.uk
Wild in Worcester Photographic Competition 2007
Worcester in Bloom 2007 Competition
Vote now! for more details click here
Click here for more about Lyppard Grange Ponds
Join the Young Rangers Club!
For children aged between 8 and 12 years old. Light walking and fun events to enable the discovery of local wildlife Wednesdays from 2pm to 3:30pm on Chapter Meadows. There is no charge, but a suggested donation of £2 person would be gratefully received. Advance booking essential 01905 722233
Protect the countyside. Follow the Countryside Code
For more info, online games and a cool Creature Comforts video visit www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk
The Pump House Environment Centre
The19th Century pump house in Gheluvelt Park is an Environment Centre which uses and demonstrates a number of sustainable technologies. Displays and events throughout the year. Click here to see our events page or Click here for The Pumphouse Environment Centre on the web
Useful links
www.english-nature.org.uk
News, info, maps and Bill Odie
www.natureonthemap.org.uk
An interactive map of national nature reserves and protected sites
www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk
Volunteer, check out local events., learn about wildlife gardening or adopt an otter
www.planetarkive.org
A fun site with a wealth of activities and facts about animals and their habitat. Good homework site - there’s some games too (when the homework’s done)
www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk
Find out where you’re allowed to wander - some nice kiddies games on this site too
www.cherryorchardnaturewatch.co.uk
Yes, that’s our very own Cherry Orchard, Worcester. Pop in for a chat
www.foresteducation.org
Click the learning resourses link for some fun educational activities
